Method and apparatus for storing and dispensing feed



Nov. 20, 1934.

F. J. KREUTZER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING FEED 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 10, 1952 Z P-En A TTORNEYS.

Nov. 20, 1934- F. .1. KREUTZER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING FEED Filed Oct. 10, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 wxmwxxmim IN V EN TOR. rmsom/c .z KREWZE/F.

A TTORNEYS.

Nov. 20, 1934. F. J. KREUTZER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING Filed Oct. 10, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 A TTORNEYS.

Nov. 20, 1934. F. J. KREUTZER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING FEED Filed Oct. 10, 1932 9 SheetsSheet 4 A TTORNEYS.

1934- F. J. KREUTZER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING FEED Filed Oct. 10, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. FEEDER/C J KREl/TZER.

A TTORNEYS.

1934- F. J. KREUTZER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING FEED Filed Oct. 10, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 I IN VENTOR. FREDfR/C JIKREl/TZER.

A TTORNEYS.

Nov. 20, 1934. J KREUTZER 1,981,417

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING FEED Filed Oct. 10, 1952 9 SheetsL-Sheet 7 |I'I'III I II'I'II II HIIIIIIIIII .IIIII' II l l l l I ':I lI I;| I III m II III IIIIIMIMI IIIIII I" III III II III IIIIIIIII.

lil III III! II I|I|I 1;; HM III 1 IIIIIIII III I ll IIIII II .II IIIII' IIII INVENTOR FEEDER/C J. KREU TZE/R ATTORNEYS Nov. 20, 1934. J, KREUTZER 1,981,417

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING FEED ATTORNEYS Nov. 20, 1934. 1,981,417

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING FEED F. J. KREUTZER Filed Oct. 10, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 HHIIIIHIBHIHHIHIHHIUIH A7 TOR/H75 Patented Nov. 20, 1934 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING FEED Frederic J. Kreutzer, Elmira, N. Y., assignor to James Manufacturing Company, Fort Atkinson, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application October 10, 1932, Serial No. 637,027

7 Claims.

My inventionrelates to an apparatus and process of preparing, storing and dispensing food to animals and of housing the animals in such a manner as to facilitate their feeding in connection therewith.

The primary object of my invention is to virtually eliminate fire hazards in structures of the described class and to make possible the complete protection of 'the feed and housed animals from fire.

It is the object of my invention to provide a process and apparatus for the practice of my process by which I am enabled to harvest without regard to weather conditions, moist or green hay, immediately store that hay and so store it and ventilate it that it will maintain its content as when green and will have the advantages of green feed; so that it will not be subject to fire due to spontaneous combustion, as I propose to remove all ignitible gases when and as they are generated, as well as to prevent the generation of any material amount of such gases; and to so store the hay that it will be removed after the lapse of a considerable period by degrees in such condition that it is the substantial equivalent of green feed, thereby enabling the feeding of green material, other than ensilage, during the winter period.

It is my particular object to provide a process and apparatus for the storing, in green or moist condition, or both, of hay, preferably in chopped form, and therefore capable of having a large.

amount introduced into a small space. When so stored it will be in such proportions that, while compressible, it would nevertheless be easily ventilated from top to bottom and from side to side and all combustible gases will be continuously removed as they may be generated.

It is my object to provide a combination of liquid bearing ensilage storage and relatively dry hay feed storage so as to permit of the ready removal of both types of feed, utilizing the ensilage storage as a part of the support for the hay storage, while at the same time maintaining an adequate ventilation of the storage.

In the actual-practice of my invention suitable means may be provided for loading and unloading and for conveying the unloaded material from both ensilage and hay storage to points of feeding.

It is the object of my invention to centralize in a separate building separated by fireproof containers and passageways the storage of ensilage and hay, access to which may be had to remove such material in the proportions necessary to its feeding and no more, and to provide hazard from the storage of feed will be permitted in the animal buildings.

It is my object to provide a system of feed storage and animal housing ventilation; and a system of stalling and feeding animals, in combination with a system of supplying at stated intervals given quantities of green feed of diverse kinds. I

It is a further object to provide an arrangement of interchangeable units capable of being manufactured in standard sections, capable of being assembled in diverse lengths into standard buildings and capable aof assembly in a variety 0 oflgombinations by putting together different um s. I

Itis also my object to provide such a unitary construction for different sizes and types of such buildings that they may be adequately combined in varying combinations and are capable of indefinite extension in varying combinations, at the same time providing unobstructed ventilation and light for the interior of the buildings as well as easy egress and ingress of the animals housed therein and to provide ready accessibility to various parts of the buildings by attendant.

It is my object to provide a process and apparatus by which a number of extensible buildings, each consisting ofa plurality of interchangeable sections, are provided, said buildings being used with hay storage containers, said containers and buildings being so connected in a system that there will be no fire hazard from the feed storage containers.

It is my object to provide a system of fireproof buildings and ventilated storage containers such that the diverse. requirements of 105 removing animal gases and heat from the buildings, and hazardous gases and heat from the storage containers may be taken care of without interference of the one with the other.

It is my object to provide fireproof buildings 10 u ed insections at "farm by simple v It is my object to provide a container, either1 with or without. lightning rods, of such material as metal that is an excellent electrical conductor and which, owing to the large mass of metal, will carry electric discharge fromstorms without danger tothe contents of the chamber; and to provide in conjunction therewith adequate ventilation to eliminate combustible and ignitible gases which may be generated in the mass, thereby eliminating. not only the cause of fire but the means by which explosions and fires may be propagated.

A'further important and specific purpose of the invention is to provide stables with means for storing dry fodder as well as silage in concentric storage chambers, the combined capacity of which will be adequate for all of said animals, the relative cross sectional areas of the concentric chambers being proportioned to the ration requirements of the animals, whereby the contents of the respective chambers may be kept at predetermined relative levels throughout the feeding period, and whereby dry material stored in the outer chamber may be utilized to thermally insulate and protect the moist contents of theinner chamber.

My object is to not only provide means for storing wholly or partially dried fodder in such a manner as to protect silage and other moisture containing food from frost but to provide for the association with stables of storage facilities for both hay and silage having such characteristics that conditions in either the stable or a, the storage structure will not affect conditions in the other structure, but in which transfers of feed from storage to stable may be facilitated to the maximum extent.

Other objects are to provide means whereby hay and other fodder having similar characteristics may be gathered from the field and stored with a sufficiently high moisture content to prevent leaf detachment, shattering, andother nutrient losses and reduce to a minimum the danger of deterioration in storage, the development of heat and gases such as emanate from ordinary hay mows and which tend to promote spontaneous ignition or explosion of gases and the growth of rnolds; to provide storage facilities which will permit of safe storage of hay and other fodder after a period of field drying of such short duration as to permit accurate forecasts of weather conditions between the time of cutting and storing; to virtually eliminate the danger to housed stock and to farm buildings from either wind or lightning, and reduce to a minimum the fire hazards resulting from the use of lanterns, lighted matches, and cigars, and from defective wiring in electrically lighted structures; and in general to provide a substantially fireproof animal housing andfeeding structure having superior sanitation and improved lighting, ventilating and food handling facilities.

A further object is to provide means whereby such buildings may be constructed in accordance with a variety of designs from standarda-rota ized factory-made sections or members of convenient handling'and shipping size winch can be readily assembled by inexperienced persons at the place" of installation in series of units capable of indefinite extension in accordance with' the number of sections used, and in ac- .cordance with any one of various predetermined *plans'of arrangement in lineal form, quadrangular form,-or other forms suited to awide diversity of arrangement. Each animal housing unit sired number extending from side wall to a central ridge, whereby units of various widths may be constructed from sections identical with those employed for the construction of units of different widths, and whereby the length of any unit may be determined by the number of sets or groups of side wall and roof sections in 'longitudinal series.

A further object of my invention is to provide a housing and food storage structure of maximum capacity in proportion to roof area and wall area, and having minimum bracing and reinforcing requirements, whereby the cost of construction and the cost of heating may be reduced to a minimum.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of an animal 135 feeding and housing structure of a generally rectangular form;

Figure, 2 is a horizontal section of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 1, drawn to-a section, drawn to line 4-4 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an isometric view of a standardized arch section, a set of-associated roof sections and a connecting post supported beam, said sections and the beam being slightly separated from a position of complete assembly and mutual support;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary isometric view, showing a fragment of one of the arch sections as it appears when attached to a foundation wall, and a detached fragment of an associated arch section;

Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views drawn respectively on lines 7-7 and 87-8 of Figure 1;

Figures 9, l0 and 11 illustrate various possible groupings of units similar to the units disclosed in Figure 1 and constructed from standardized sections of the same character;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view drawn generally to line 12-12 of Figure 2 and showing fragments of the fodder storage chamber and associated stable and connected corridor;

Fig. 13 shows an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 12;

Figure 14 is a plan view of the fodder storage chamber showing portions in horizontal section, drawn generally to line 1414 of Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a sectional view of a base portion of the fodder storage chamber, drawn to the line 15--15 on Fig. 14;

Figure 16 is an isometric view on an enlarged scale showing portions of three interlocked outer wall sections of the fodder storage chamber in assembled relation to an associated lining wall support and spacing ,member, and also showing a fragment of the lining sections to which the illustrated spacing member is directly connected;

Figures 17 and 18 are fragments showing modified forms of the foraminous ventilating passage walls in elevation;

Figure 19 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 21;

Figure 20 is a section on the line 20-20 of Figure 12 looking in the direction of the arrows;'

Buildings The improved building structure shown in Figure 1 comprises a series of units, including one or more stable units, a milking room and pen unit, one or more fodder storage units, and

corridor units for connecting the other units, said units being formed at a factory in standardized sections adapted for assembly in accordance with a variety of plans for arrangement of the units, either in a generally rectangular grouping of the units as shown in Figure 1 or in a lineal grouping, either with or without lateral extensions, as indicated generally in Figures 9, and 11. All of the units in any group will preferably have a common foundation.

In Figure 1 I have illustrated two storage units A associated with. two stable units B to which the units A are connected by corridors C. The stable units B are cross connected atthe ends nearest the storage units by a pen unit D, and their other ends are cross connected by a milk house E and corridors F.

The various units are standardized in such a manner that the factory made sections may each include inner and outer walls and an intermediate layer of material adapted for thermal insulation, each section being capable of transportation and assembly at the place of installation, either in the form illustrated in Figure 1 or any one of the forms illustrated in Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11. Various other assemblies may be made as desired by the purchaser, and

- as hereinafter explained, the sections are adapted for the construction of units of any desired width or length.

Animal housing units The structure of the animal housing units, the connecting corridors and the sections of which they are composed, will now be described in detail, after which the storage units, their component sections, and their relation to the animal housing units will be described.

The walls of the stable units will preferably have the general contour disclosed in prior United States Letters Patent No. 1,745,588, dated February 4, 1930, and granted to James Manufacturing Company, assignee of the invention herein claimed, except that for the purpose of housing live stock, the arched portion of the structure will preferably be supported by vertical walls (Figures 2, 3 and 6) such as concrete walls which extend upwardly from the floor level 21 to a sufficient distance to provide the desired head room. The arrangement of the stalls is not material to the present invention, and the stall frames, mangers, etc., may be assumed to be of any ordinary construction. In Figure 2 I have illustrated a central passageway 22 flanked by rows of stalls 23 and marginal passageways 25 with interposed gutters 26 in accordance with ordinary practice in stables having two rows of stalls and a central feed passage. In the construction shown in Figure 2 this feed passage is aligned with a corridor 0 through which food for the animals may be conveyed from the associated storage chamber A, thus making it possible to employ ordinary carriers in so conveying the food supplies to the animals. End chambers 27 may be provided for the'respective stables, and these chambers may be used for the storage of grain, meal, or other food supplies incapable of maintaining combustion unless such combustion is otherwise supported. In Figure 11 a stable with a double row of stalls is illustrated.

The side and roof portions of the stable units and all other units having similar exterior contours may be formed of upwardly and inwardly arched sections, the lower margins of which rest upon the foundation and the upper margins of which connect with tangentially extending roof sections and a ridge section which connects the roof sections at the respective sides of the ridge (Figures 4 and 5). The arched side sections may each be formed with outer walls 28 and inner walls 29, each preferably metallic and connected by arched frame members 30 preferably of the channel bar type. At their lower ends these frame members are secured to.

ably composed of spongoid gypsum, or porousslag-like material capable of being at least partially self-supporting andcontaining a multitude of air pockets, whereby maximum heat insulation may be obtained with minimum addition to the weight of the section.

The upper ends of these arched sections at the respective sides of the unit may be provided with an end piece 35 which is adapted to be received between the upper and lower flanges of an I-beam 36 supported by posts 37. The upper surface of this beam is in substantial registry with or slightly inset from the upper end of theputer wall 28 of the arched section, whereby the outer wall of the next section may lap over the beam and the upper end of the wall 28. Connecting flanges 38 at the upper ends of the arched sections may be bolted to the central web of the I-beam.

At its opposite side the I-beam receives the end margin of a horizontally extending ceiling section which will now be described.

The ceiling sections may be composed of channel bar end pieces 40 connected by upper and lower metallic walls 28a and'29a respectively, and provided with non-heat conducting filling 34a. These channel bars are similar to the side nel bars.

bars 30 and adapted to be bolted together as indicated at Figure '7, whereupon they may be connected with each other by metal battening strips 41-42, bolted or riveted to flanges of the chan- Similar battening stripsare employed to connect the laterally adjacent arch sections. The outer battening strip 42, when exposed to the weather is preferablyof a generally chanmetal roof covering 46. The lower ends of the rafters are supported by the I-beams 36.

The number of sections employed for each transversely extending set composing the roof and the ceiling will depend upon the width of the unit. Frame pieces 30a and 45 will preferably be one piece and of respective lengths for each variable width. Suitable braces 51 are employed to supportthe ceiling sections from the roof section. Braces 52 serve the additional purpose of securing the roof members 45 together at the ridge 50 by extending over and fastening to ends of members from both'sides.

The outer covering of each roof'section may belapped over the. upper margin of the outer covering of the next section below it, including the arched section, as shingles or metal roofing are lapped in an ordinary manner. Similarly, the outer covering of any arch section in registry with one of the corridor units or with a pen unit may be lapped over the outer covering of the corridor or pen unit, as indicated at 54 in Figure 3, this lapping of the outer covering of one arch unit upon another one at right angles thereto being extended downwardly along each side, as indicated by the dotted line in said Figure 3.

The corridor units'maybe wholly formed of side arch sections and ridge sections, since these sections will furnish corridors of suflicient width:

The width of the corridor units may be varied however, from that described in the preceding sentence by varying the number of roof sec-v tions employed to connect each side arch section with the ridge section, the number of ceiling sections being varied accordingly.

The ends of units Dand F of Figure 1 are,

made to join, the curved side walls of units B (see Figure 1), the details of which are shown in Figure 3. The end walls of units B have vertical sections such as is shown at the ends of B and E- (Figure 1). Where a corridor unit is so connected the associated arch section of the unit to which itis attached will be cut away, as indicated in Figure 3, to form a doorway or opening 54' between the supporting channel bar arches, but if doors are desired, partitions 55 provided, as indicated at 57 in Figure 1.

It will be noted that special corridor and pen unit sections 58 and 59, respectively, are provided to connect the corridors and pens with arched walls of other units.

The buildings E shown in Figures 2 and 22 are adapted for use bycows with calves, the partitions 6, 7, and the others shown allow for the housing of both cows and calves.

Milk room To promote sanitation, and also to enable the necessary equipment employed in milking to be kept outside of the stables, I preferably provide a milk room unit E (Figure 2), the outer walls of which 'may be composed of the standardized sections above described' .As shown in Figure 1, this milking room E. is connected withthe two stable units B and B by corridors F. Each 'of these corridors has a longitudinal partition 60 (Figure ,2), and at the ends which connect with the milking room, gates 61 and 62 are hinged in pairs to' the end post of the partition, and so arranged with reference to milking room partition members as to control the movements of the animals to and from the room and alternately from the respective stables.

Use of such a room in the combination herein claimed enables me to'remove milking operations and the milking equipment from the stables to a room that is wholly free from even the daily food supplies or any combustible material whatever, whereby electric lighting and operating equipment may be freely used-with no danger that even the daily rations of the animals may become. ignited by short circuits, or friction of mechanically moving parts.

The buildings D shown in Figures 23 and 24, illustrate enlarged stalls which may be used as pens for bulls or calves.

Feed storage siderable moisture when stored, and large masses thereof will almost invariably become heated nearly to the ignition point while curing in the successfully eliminated by storing hay in stacks or in separate buildings for thereason that such stacks or separate buildings are necessarily located in such proximity to the stables as to not only allow fire to be communicated to combustible stable structures or animal housings, but the ordinary hay stack or hay barn burns with such rapidity and develops such intense heat as to injure or destroy animals in nearby housings, even though the housings are constructed of fire proof materials.

But I have discovered that it .is possible to combine. under one roof -a silo structure and a hay or dry fodder storage chamber which encircles the silo, and by making this silo and the encircling chamber columnar in form, and preferably cylindrical, it is possible to provide storage for hay or other dry fodder in suflicient I quantities to satisfy the requirements for all the animals in an associated stable at less expense and with less wall and roof areas than is required for ordinary barns having basement stables and superposed hay mows.' By forming the walls of the silo and the encircling storage chamber of metal or other fireproof material such structures may be located in close proximity to a stable which is also formed of fireproof material without danger of injury to the animalsif the dry fodder should become ignited, since the latter will burn from the top downwardly, and initially the fire will be in the form of a torch at the top of the columnar structure, after which accumulations of ash will smother the fire sufliciently -to prevent excessive heating of the adjacent stable or stables.

In its preferred form my storage unit comprises an annular hay storage chamber '70 (Figures 12 and 14) which encircles a silo 71 having a wall 72 which may be formed of any suitable non-combustible material, but preferably the walls of both chambers are formed in sections as hereinafter described. The silo has'a vertical chute 73 along one side, this chute being located within the annular chamber and provided with removable wall sections '74 affording access from the silo chute at different levels. Similar removable wall sections 75 permit access from the hay storage chamber to the chute 73, and at one side of the chute there are rungs 76 which serve as a ladder.

The bottom of this chute (Figure 14) connects with a passage 77 leading outwardly across the storage chamber '70 and communicating with one of the corridors C leading to an associated stable.

Ventilation of the hay The silo wall 72 is encircled by a foraminous wall '78 which is spaced from the silo wall to form an annular vertically extending ventilating passage '79 on the outer side of the wall '72. The outer wall 80 of the hay storage chamber 70 may be formed of metal, tile, or other incombustible material and it will ordinarily be made circular in form in correspondence with the preferred cylindrical form of the silo wall '72. Spaced inwardly from this outer wall 80 there is another foraminous cylindrical wall 81 which provides an annular ventilating passage 82 for the outer side of the column of hay stored in the chamber '70.

By providing a ventilation space on both the outside, the inside and the top of the hay mass; and-by providing the distance between such ventilation spaces no greater than that which will" permit the free circulation of gases throughout the hay mass and their evacuation, I am enabled to continuously remove the gases and control the temperature in the hay mass. This action is improved by the use of chopped hay because I then deal with a product of uniform size and substantially uniform density when stored.

By employing a feed cutter for cutting hay and other dry fodder into short lengths it can be delivered into the annular chamber by the same means employed for delivery of silage into the silo, and I have discovered that for a stable housing fifty cattle and having an, associated silo fourteen feet in diameter and a height sufficient to furnish silage to such cattle during an ordinary winter season in quantities to satisfy modern' dairy requirements, an annular storage chamber for dry fodder may be so formed about the silo as to reduce the expense of storing hay to a minimum, andthat such a concentric chamber will require a radius of only about five to five and one half feet between its inner and outer f0 aminous walls to provide storage for a comp ete supply of dry fodder to the animals for a period equal in duration to that during' which they can be supplied with silage from the silo. The proportionate width of the' annular storage chamber for the dry fodder may, of course, be varied to some extent in accordance with calculated requirements for properly proportioning the ration of dry fodder to silage, but the proportions above given are based upon standard rationing practice.

Ensilage freezing prevented It thus becomes possible to utilize the dry cut fodder to protect the silage from freezing, the height of the dry fodder column maintaining the same proportionate level with reference to the silage throughout the feeding period.

It will be observed that the silo chamber 71 extends below the level of the chamber 70. Assuming that the capacities of the two chambers are proportioned in accordance with feeding requirements as to any given cross sectional portion, it will be obvious that the contents of the silo chamber may be kept continuously below the level of the contents in the storage chamber 70. Therefore, the hay will more effectively protect the silage from freezing.

My invention comprehends a construction of an animal structure embodying means for storing combustible foods without danger to the animals contained therein, and without danger of a destruction of the entire building if such combustible material should become ignited. I am the first to devise means for utilizing dry combustible material to protect silage from destruction by either fire or frost.

Protection from lightning 'on both sides and the top of the hay mass so as to carry away any gases which might be ignited by static electricity.

By the provision of metal containers I also provide greatly increased heat radiating surfaces which serve to convey the heat away from the hay as generated in it, which heat is further dissipated by the air flow over the metal containers.

I, therefore, have the cooperative relationship between the metal, the dissipation of heat and the ventilation of the hay in accomplishing the 1 object of preserving the hay against fire and explosion. I

Continuous ventilation I have also discovered that owing to the relatively small radial dimensions of the dry fodder or hay storage chamber, heating of the fodder during the curing period may be reduced sufficiently to eliminate the danger of spontaneous combustion and of the development of mold, by allowing the vapors and any generated heat units to be promptly carried away through the annular ventilating passages 79 and 82. Air, vapor, or other gases are required to travel a horizontal distance of only about two and one half feet from the center of the mass in order.

to reach either the inner or the outer ventilating passage. It will be understood that the dimensions indicated here are purely by way of illustration. The exactmroportions depend upon the type of material being stored, the amount being stored and the general conditions of moisture and the like under which it is desired to store it. The principle to be followed is to never have the hay mass of greater size and thickness than can be conveniently, continuously and thoroughly ventilated throughout the entire mass so that there can be no rise in temperature to a dangerous point or an accumulation of combustible gases which may become ignited byelectricity or otherwise.

While the silo wall and the outer wall of the fodder storing unit may be formed of any theproof material, I prefer to form these walls of sheet metal and to construct them from factory made sections of standardized dimensions which can be readily assembled at the place of installation. Each section is arcuately curved in correspondence with the predetermined curvature of the wall in which the section is. to be assembled, and each section is otherwise of a generally rectangular form. For example, the outer wall sections have 'a central web 80a flanked on three of its margins with a. horizontal flange 80b and vertical flanges 800, the terms horizontal" and vertical having reference to the position of these flanges when assembled with other sections to form said wall. Along the remaining side of the web 80a there is a reversely folded flange composed of members 80d and 80a which are substantially parallel with each other with suflicient space between them to receive the flange 80b of an adjacent section, as best indicated in Figure 16. [The foraminous walls 78 and 81 are provided with webs 81a, 81a: and 8111 and may be similarly flanged, and these walls may be supported from the silo wall 72 and the outer Wall 80 of the unit by spacing plates 96 which are bolted,

riveted, or welded to certain of the horizontally extending flanges 80d of the outer wall or corresponding flanges of the silo wall and the similar flanges such as 8111 of their associated foraminous walls, as also indicated in Figure 16. The sections in each annular series will have their respective flanges 80c and 810 butted and secured together by a channel-shaped bar which is adapted to bind the flanges of adjacent sections together and to be secured thereto by bolts or equivalent fastening means or by spot welding, if desired.

The respective sections will be preferably so assembled that their flanges will extend into the respective ventilating passageways 79v and 82, whereby the outer surface of the exterior wall and the inner surface of the silo wall may be kept comparatively smooth.

A conical roof having metal rafters 100 and a sheet metal covering 101, formed in radially extending tapering sections, may be employed to cover both the silo and the dry fodder storage chamber 70. The sections which compose the roof covering will preferably have side margins provided with V-shaped rib flanges adapted .to be lapped over or within the corresponding V-shaped flanges of the other sections in each means to the horizontal flanges of the coupling members and the associated flanges of the' top wall sections. Each rafter may comprise a single beam of any suitable cross section, it being immaterial to the invention herein claimed whether angle iron beams, or beams of any other cross section are employed. Their upper ends are supported in the channel formed at the lower margin of the cylindrical cupola wall 111. The flange is conically inclined downwardly and outwardly, and the base ring 109 has a par- :i

allel flange 112 between which and the flange 110 the upper end of the rafter is received.

The cupola may be an ordinary ventilating cupola except that it is provided with an axially disposed vertically extending filling chute section 115, the lower end of which is connected with extension members 116, 117, 118, which extend downwardly and outwardly substantially parallel to the roof. An elbowed outlet member 119 may be connected to the lower end of the section 118, or to either of the other two sections 116 or 117. Therefore, the three sections may be employed to deliver material into the outer portion of the chamber 70, whereas the two sections 116 and 117 may be employed with out the section 118 when the material is to be delivered into said chamber adjacent the silo wall.

The vertical section is provided with a sleeve 124 which supports a spur gear wheel 125 which may be driven from a motor 126 by means of a pinion 127 secured to the motor shaft. The motor is employed to rotate the section 115 to carry the outlet member 119 in a circular path, whereby silage may be distributed annularly in the silo or cut hay similarly distributed in the annular chamber '70. The upper end of the section 115 has swivelled joint connection at 128 with a tube 129 which extends to the feed cutter or an associated blower for filling the storage chambers.

The foraminous walls 78 and 81 will preferably have the webs of their sections formed of sheet metal which is slitted at intervals, and the material between adjacent slits pressed into the form of a projecting louver 130 (Figures 16 and 17). These louvers may be separated by obliquely extending unslitted bands 131, as shown in Figure 16. 1f desired, however, parallel louvers 132 may be formed between vertically extending bands 133, as shown in Figure 17. But any other form of foraminous wall may be substituted, since these walls may, if desired, be composed of woven wire as indicated at 134 in Figure 18. The foraminous wall structure shown in Figures 16 and 17 are preferred for the reason that the unslitted bands 131 or 133 reinforce the structure.

The woven wire sectionsmay be provided with angle iron frames which will afford adequate strength, but these walls offer a greater obstruction to the passage of air and also allow small particles to pass from the chamber '70 into the ventilating passages, thereby necessitating a more frequent cleaning out of such passages.

To facilitate cleaning the ventilating passages of dust, fragments of leaves, and stems which may enter these passages from the hay storage chamber '70 I provide radially extending cleanout passages 135 in or underneath the floor of Y the storage chamber '70 and leading outwardly from the annular ventilating passage 79 to the exterior whereby suitable hooded coverings 136 will preferably be employed to protect the outlet of each clean-out passage 135. The lower sections of the outer wall of the chamber '70 will preferably be provided at intervals with clean-out openings protected by similar hoods 137. The outlet end of the passage 135 and the clean-out openings in the lower portion of the ventilating passage 82 will preferably be provided with suitable gratings 139.

Filling the food containers When the chute is being employed for filling the silo both sections 117 and 118 may be removed and the outer member 119 coupled directly to the section 116. These sections are supported from an annular track 120 by means of a trolley 121 and hanger 122. The track is supported from the rafters by hangers 123.

To facilitate observation and manual manipulation of the rotatable end portions of the filling spout I provide a swinging platform 140 which has a sleeve 141 at one corner through which a post 142 extends. This post projects upwardly above the level of the platform and forms part of a trussed guarding frame in association with other vertical corner posts 144 and 145, top rails 146 and 147, and stay rods 148. The inner end of this platform may be swung upon the supporting post 142 to various positions over the silo, or even over the hay storage space if desired, whereby a person standing on the platform can reach the swinging filling chute or ascend to the cupola upon rungs 149 which connect the posts 145.

. It will be observed that when the mass of chopped hay is blown through the pipe 129 thence downwardly through the pipe sections 116, 117 and 118 and out the spout 119, these sections act like a nozzle and, under the influence of the force of the hay being blown, the

Process One of the serious losses in the operation of a farm is the loss of hay which is spoiled by the weather. Such spoilage either results from being unable to cut the hay'when it should be out, because it is wet and cannot be cured when wet as heretofore known in the art, or because of the wetting of the hay after it has been out while it is still in the field being cured This is particularly true of some types of hay, such as alfalfa, which has to be cured with great care. While it is highly desirable to feed hay that is preserved in green or semi-green condition, this has heretofore been impossible duradvantages of feeding green corn in the form of ensilage.

According to my process, I cut the hay, even though it may have a moisture content due to inclement weather conditions, which would otherwise make the cutting or storing of it undesirable. This hay is chopped in an ordinary cutter and delivered in chopped condition into a tall, relatively narrow column, the sides of which are supported by any type of member permitting the free circulation of air to the center gf the-column and out through the column of The thickness of the column is never greater than that which would permit of this free circulation of air throughout the walls of the column and the body of the hay out of the top of the column. -By making the column of annular cross section, it is possible to ventilate the inside and outside walls surrounding the hay column, and it is possible also to make the column of such thickness to permit continuous circulation of air through the hay mass.

Such circulation maintains the hay free from mould or spoilage; and permits of the rapid evacuation of combustible gases which might be fired by either static electricity or from the elecfresh, semi-green condition with all the value of green feed, of particular advantage to all stock in winter.

The hay is maintained in fresh condition due to the continued circulation of air, which is supplemented by the natural moisture content of the air present in the air particularly during winter time.

By the utilization of metal as the supporting walls for the hay container, I provide a satisfactory conductor of electricity to convey away any static electricity due to storms and the like to prevent the accumulation of any residue combustible gases, if any should happen to exist. I do not exclude the use of wood or of ceramic materials but when metal is used, I find that it has this additional advantage.

The next coordinate step in my process is the placing of a water-tight, preferably of sectional metal, ensilage tank or container on the inside of the hay containing cylinder which acts as a 1 support for the inner wall of the hay containing cylinder and forms with that wall an impervious spaced wall through which air will be caused to circulate as described.

In the same manner an outside impervious 1 wall is placed around in spaced relationship to the outside foraminous wall of the hay containing cylinder. This ensures the circulation of the air. Vent openings at the bottom of the outside wall and inside wall may be provided as indicated in Figure 15 to keep the entire circulatory system for theevacuation of gases from the hay.

Returning to the silo, I so proportion the 5 amount throughout the consuming season. 150

As the ensilage contains chopped green corn which has a certain amount of liquid in'it, the wall of the ensilage chamber is liquid proof.

A common entrance passageway is provided from the feeding stables through these storage chambers, portions of the walls of the storage chamber forming portions of the walls of the entrance passageway. Such portions of the walls are removable to facilitate the removal of the hay and ensilage throughout the season. It will be noted that the walls of this entrance passageway are fireproof, being composed of metal and fireproof insulation so that in case of any fire, there could be no transmission of the fire from the storage chamber to the feeding stables.

This passageway extends as a tunnel through a portion of the hay cylinder up to the side wall of the ensilage chamber with a vertically disposed tunnel passageway leading upwardly to the hay and ensilage chambers.

As a part of the practice of this process, the green feed is removed from this passageway only in such amounts as may be necessary for the consumption of the animals at any one feeding to prevent the accumulation of any feed, so as to eliminate the fire hazard. The animals are fed according to my circulatory system in the feeding stables, to which feed is circulated to them from the storage chambers. The animals then circulate directly or through communicating passageways of fireproof character to a milking station E in progressive lots.

A common milking station may be the center through circulatory passageways F for the ingress and egress of batches of animals from the feeding shelters B, each of which feeding shelters is supplied from its own remotely connected storage chamber unit A connected to the feeding chamber by the fireproof passageway C. In this manner the several functions of the several buildings, according to my system of feeding are segregated. 1

'They are independently lighted by natural light and ventilated. Their ventilation systems are entirely separate from those of the feed storage chambers. There are no storage chambers in any part of the animal feeding and milking chambers. Separate means of ingress and egress are provided from each unit.

The units themselves are so combinedv that they may form protecting exercising yards in inclement weather.

By making the buildings of pre-fabricated, sectional material, they are capable of being extended to varying lengths and in varied widths due to the number of group sections interposed between the side walls thereof.

It will be understood that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as may be clearly embraced within the scope of my claims and invention.

It will be also understood that claims to the specific features of the animal buildings, together with adequate description and drawings are more fully set forth in my copending applications filed May 8, 1933; Serial No. 669,896; filed May 8, 1933, Serial No. 669,897; filed May 8, 1933, Serial No. 669,898 and it will be understood that the failure to so claim them in this application is not a dedication or abandonment of the novel subject matter thereof.

I'hereby make a cross-reference to my copending application, Ser. No. 639,490, filed Oct.

24, 1932, for Improvements in buildings for animals and a system of handling and feeding animals. While some of the figures of the drawings in that application and some of the figures in the drawings in this present application Ser. No. 637,027 are the same, other figures in the drawings of each of these two applications do show constructions not illustrated in the other; and nothing claimed in this application Ser. 637,027 is claimed in said co-pending application Ser. 639,490.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. An animal housing and feeding structure comprising a stable composed of fire proof nonheat conducting walls in combination with an offset annular columnar storage chamber for dry fodder of greater height than the stable and having means for withdrawal of heat and moisture from the fodder at substantially all levels along boththe inner and outer sides of the column, and means including a fire-proof corridor extending from said stable through part of said heat withdrawal means of said storage chamber to connect said stable with the interior of said storage chamber, whereby the said stable and chamber constitute separate structures but are connected to each other by a separate connecting corridor whereby any fire hazard in the storage chamber would be ineffective to injure the stable or its contents.

2. An animal feeding and housing structure comprising the combination of a columnar annular storage chamber for dry fodder provided with ventilating means along its inner and outer walls extending upwardly from the bottom portion and provided with top outlets, a stable extending laterally from the storage chamber, and a corridor connection extending into the lower portion of the storage chamber and laterally to connect the storage chamber with the stable, said storage chamber having a chuteadapted to permit progressive feeding of material into the corridor connection from the top of the column of material in the storage chamber, said feeding and housing structure being made of fire-proof construction whereby any fire-hazard in the storage chamber will be ineffective to injure the stable or its contents.

3. In a farm structure including a barn for domestic animals, a communicating connection to the barn whereby feed may be transferred to the barn, and a feed storage container connected to the communicating connection, said feed con- F tainer consisting of an outer chamber, an inner chamber and ventilating means in one of said chambers, said chambers constituting receptacles foruhay and ensilage, and having annular side wa s.

4. In a farm structure including a barn for domestic animals, a corridor connected to the barn whereby feed may be transferred to the barn, and a feed storage container connected to the corridor, said feed container consisting of an inner chamber and an outer chamber, said chambers constituting receptacles for hay and ensilage, said hay receptacle having ventilating means adapted to admit air to substantially all portions. thereof, and said corridor directly connecting said feed container and barn.

5. In a farm structure including a barn for domestic animals, a substantially closed corridor connected to the barn whereby feed is transferred to the barn, and a feed storage container consisting of an inner chamber and an outer chamber, said chambers being coaxial and constituting receptacles for hay and ensilage, and one of said chambers having ventilating means adapted to admit air to substantiallyall portions thereof, said corridor directly connecting said feed container and ham.

6. In a farm structure including a barn, a corridor connected to the barn whereby feed is transferred to the barn, and a feed storage container connected to the corridor, said feed container consisting of an inner chamber and an outer chamber, one of said chambers constitut ing a receptacle for hay and the other for ensilage, said hay receptacle having ventilating apertures for admitting air to substantially all parts of the hay contained therein, said corridor connecting said barn and feed chamber.

7. In a farm structure including a barn, a corridor connected to the barn whereby feed is transferred to the barn, and a feed storage container connected to the corridor, said feed container consisting of an inner chamber andan outer chamber, said chambers constituting receptacles respectively for ensilage and hay, said hay receptacle having ventilating means for admitting air to substantially all parts of the hay contained therein, said ventilating means constituting slotted walls, said corridor directly connecting said barn and feed chamber.

FREDERIC J. KREUTZER. 

